CUMBERLAND, R.I. (AP) — Wildlife officials are reporting an increase in black bear sightings in Rhode Island.
A Cumberland man told police he was taking out his trash Sunday night when he saw a bear in his neighbor's driveway, The Call reports. Home surveillance caught the bear coming up the driveway.
Officials say they are not sure if they are dealing with one or multiple bears. A black bear was spotted two weeks ago in Wrentham, Massachusetts strolling across a backyard.
Officials have been asking residents to take precautions by removing bird feeders and keeping garbage inside until trash pickup.
Black bear populations have been slowly increasing throughout southern New England in recent decades.
